#197: The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)

It’s the last of a trilogy, which cast doubts about its validity as a standalone movie. I like Matt Damon, however, and I’d seen the first fifteen minutes or so of the first film, which was basically a non-stop action sequence. Action films have grown on me since starting this quest, so I was coming in with a clean, objective outlook.

What do I know about it now?

Intense from the start, and it really never stopped. A quality film doesn’t waste any time; there may be points where “waiting ” or pausing is necessary for an effect, but we should never be required to spend garbage time. The Bourne Ultimatum wasted zero seconds. I counted. What was also REALLY nice was a tidy backstory — I was never lost, nor did I feel condescended to. The film effectively thrust me into the situation, and by the end, despite never seeing the previous two installments, I fully sympathized with the protagonist. This was a high quality film that looks like one of the best on the list yet, and rightfully so. The fight choreography, cinematography, and stunts were all the best of any film on the list so far.

What are some themes in the film?

Action! Betrayal/loyalty, amnesia/recollection, corruption, identity

Did this affect me personally?

Yes — if you lost your identity, how far would you go to retrieve it?

Why is this ranked #197?

The Bourne trilogy was a train I never hopped on. Again, I’ve never been inclined toward action films, but I’m learning that occasionally this genre will add something without taking too much away. In this case, nothing was lost when they built this story of a man simply trying to retrieve what was his. Being the capstone to the trilogy and having human elements pushed this to its current ranking on IMDb.

Did my wife watch/like it?

She loved it. It’s her favorite film so far, and that’s saying a lot.

Would I watch it again?

Sure! It’s a roller coaster ride.

Would I recommend it to a friend?

I’m sure most of my buddies have seen this, but if you haven’t, you can hop right in and see the third installment and be assured you won’t miss anything.

Does it deserve to be on this list as one of the greatest films of all time?

Yes. It’s hard to imagine an action film can be worthy of accolades, but it works. It’s fun, gripping, intense, tidy, spectacular, and imaginative.